1. Virginia d'Albert-Lake was an American member of the French Resistance during World War II.
14 Facts About Virginia d'Albert-Lake
1. 2.
Virginia d'Albert-Lake was arrested on June 12,1944, and imprisoned by the Germans in Ravensbruck concentration camp and other camps for the remainder of the war.
3.
Virginia d'Albert-Lake retained her American citizenship although the couple resided in France.
4.
Virginia d'Albert-Lake became a keeper of safe houses for escaping airmen and a guide.
5.
The Comet Line was in crisis in early 1944 due to arrests by the Germans and Virginia d'Albert-Lake was at special risk of being arrested as she spoke French with an American accent and her identity papers showed her birthplace as the United States.
6.
Virginia d'Albert-Lake's job was to meet escaping airmen when they arrived at a train station in Paris and house them until such time as arrangement could be made for them to travel southward toward Spain.
7.
Virginia d'Albert-Lake hosted 67 airmen in apartments in Paris or in the d'Albert Lake's country home in Nesles.
8.
The next day, just short of Chateaudun, three German soldiers stopped Virginia d'Albert-Lake who had seven airmen and a guide, Michelle Fredon, with her.
9.
Virginia d'Albert-Lake was carrying with her a large amount of money and a list of the names and addresses of contacts in Chateaudun.
10.
Virginia d'Albert-Lake tore up the list and swallowed the pieces.
11.
Rather than the grueling labor forced upon most women prisoners, Virginia d'Albert-Lake worked in the prison kitchen.
12.
Virginia d'Albert-Lake said that none of her close friends survived the concentration camps.
13.
Philippe went into the antique business and Virginia d'Albert-Lake bought and sold antique dolls to American customers.
14.
Virginia d'Albert-Lake died in 1997, age 87, and is buried in Dinard.